Storytelling: Inside Sita's Head - Week 7

I shook visibly as we neared the assembly. This is not what I had imagined my fate to be.
How could he doubt my loyalty? Ive had nothing loyalty for him since the beginning. I know nothing else.

I put his ring on my finger, but it gave me little comfort.

It was not log ago that he was going to great lengths to rescue me, to bring me back to him. Now he is going to great lengths to inquire my better judgment.
Was this even about me? Maybe he is doing all of this because he is trying to prove his dignity. Maybe this is all a show.

There I stood, dressed in my finest garnets, wearing my finest jewelry. Yet, I felt as though I was merely a hermit being looked down upon by the king.
Except the king was someone I love, someone who I thought loved me.

Surely he does not love me anymore. How could be put me through this if he did love me?

I shook the thought from my head.

Vibhishana lead me towards the center of the assembly, lightly grasping my arm.
My heart sunk as I neared Rama. I looked to him and he gave gave no sign of assurance. His face was cold and he only looked at me for a brief second.

I began to feel something for him that I never thought I would before: doubt.
Is this someone I want to spend the rest of my life with? I was seeing a side of him that I had never seen before. I was undoubtedly disappointed.
How could I forgive him for putting me through this? How could I forgive him for doubting for innocence? How could I forgive him for thinking I would give something so sacred to Ravana?

No Sita, you must stop. This is not the time to doubt my dedication to Rama. If I start to believe that then the public will surely sense it.

The public looked so unforgiving, so judgmental. I shook at the thought of facing them.

I knew that I had maintained my innocence, but would the public believe so?

My thoughts began to race back to when Rama and I first saw each other. Our eyes met and fate was sealed. He won not only my father's competition, but my heart as well.
I knew at that moment he would hold my heart forever. Without fail, he does to this day.

Rama announced the start of the assembly and everyone in the crowd turned my way.
I took a deep breath.

Here we go.

Picture: Week 7 Reading Guide A

Authors note:
I did my story based on what I think would be going through Sita's head as she was heading to the assembly with Vibhishana.

Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way. 

Reading Diary B: Rama's Return - Week 7

Rama, riding the chariot, flies to Kishkindha and then to Bharadwaja's hermitage.
Hanuman tells Bharata that Rama is returning.

After much gift giving, Sugriva and Vibhishana return back to where they came from.

Sita becomes pregnant. Rama begins to hear others talking about how he took Sita back after she had been with Ravana.
Eventually, Rama decides that Sita must be abandoned to the Ganges.

Narada- Hindu's most traveled sage

The book briefly discusses Sumantra
This gave good insight into his past and even noted on Dasharatha.
Sumantra believes Sita's fate is a result of karma.

Sita gives birth to Kusha and Lava in Valmiki's hermitage.

Rama puts on a festival in the Naimisha forest.

Kusha and Lava are learning the Ramayana song.
I found this to be interesting because they do not yet know that Rama is their father.

Sita wants to prove her innocence to Rama. She does so by asking her mother the Earth for help.

Kala- time
Durvasa- hermit

Lakshmana dies after interrupting Kala and Rama.

The ending really stood out to me in this story.
Rama jumps into the Sarayu river to meet his end, along with his followers.

Reading Diary A: Ravana's Defeat - Week 7

Malyavan met Shiva, who had rescued Malyavan's father as a baby.
Sukesa- Malyavan's father

Lightening Tuunge and Thunder Tooth (demon magicians) are killed by Hanuman and Sugriva.
Ravana's experiences continuous failed attempts are defeating Rama from afar. It is finally time for Ravana to face Rama in person.

Ravana tries to disguise himself as Indra - which I found to be cowardly. Rama eventually kills Ravana.
Hanuman tells Sita that Rama defeated Ravana.

Vibhishana is made king of Lanka.
I liked this part of the story, I thought Vibhishana deserved the throne. Especially after he proved his loyalty to Rama.

Agni - the fire god

Sita's innocence is tested when she is asked to step into the fire.
I do not like how Rama felt the need to test Sita's loyalty after she has proved it to him throughout his exile.

It is now time for Rama's exile to come to an end. He is preparing to head back.
Vibhishana gives Rama Pushpaka (a chariot.)

Vibhishana, Hanuman, and Jambavan attend Rama's coronation.